Arrapha
One of the five great cities of Nahyz, and the southernmost city in the world, Arrapha is nestled in the foothills of the Minin, and the headwaters of the Tanin Nahr. By far the most religious of the great cities, there is always some religious rite going on in the sprawling, urban area. Arrapha is also massively profitable. Thanks to their nearness to the mines of the Minin, Arrapha is the source of most of the ores and gems of Nahyz. The economic and religious siginifance of the city makes it one of the most powerful great cities in the country.
Demographics
Most Arraphans are dragonborn. There are a number of kobold and dwarf slaves that make up the second largest population in the city. There are not as many humans, tabaxi, elves, or other non-draconic races in this city compared to most of the other great cities. However, there is a sizeable number of lizardborn and a larger than average number of half-dragons. There are many temples and grand houses in the city which leads to a large number of wealthy nobles and priests. Additionally, there is a large number of stone workers, miners, jewelers, and other artisans whose materials come from the mountains.
Government
The city is ruled by a nomarch who collects taxes and tithes from the grand city and all of its owned land. The taxes are disbursed throughout the government and its people and projects while the tithes are given to the temples and grand houses. Citizens can trade in their supply of taxes given to them or use any coin they may have to pay for materials from the government or grand houses, such as ores or gems.
- Social Welfare: The government of Arrapha is generally indifferent to most social concerns. They distribute food to every citizen, but they do not care for the sick or educate children. If you can earn your place in a dynasty, they will provide and protect for you. Occasionally, some of the temples will provide aid for those in need.
- Military: Arrapha does have its own military force, usually used to guard the government buildings and patrol the city. However, they can be called to defend any of Arrapha's territories or attack another city. It is rare for either of these things to happen, however.
- Law: Those who commit crimes in Arrapha can expect to become an indentured servant of the governments, at best. They are often shipped to mines for their sentence and then never released. If there is a festival coming up, or the temples feel their god is angry, any lawbreakers can also be sacrificed.
- Arcana: Any in the city are welcome to use their magical talents; in fact, if you are seen to be talented enough, you will probably be courted by a number of government entities and dynasties to join them.
Defences
Arrapha has a massive army under its command, and they have some of the best equipment for their forces throughout Nahyz. While the main city offers little walls, every grand house and government building as well as most of the temples have high walls and thick gates.
Industry & Trade
Arrapha is the city of mining and gems in Nahyz. Thanks to their proximity to the Minin and the many mines under their control, Arrapha controls most of the ore and gem trade in the country. Master smiths and jewelers make their way to Arrapha for the quality goods found in huge quantities here. Anything not bought in Arrapha is shipped further down the Nahyz and sold to merchants or one of the other grand cities.
Infrastructure
There is a large set of canals throughout the city which lead to the grand houses, temples, government buildings, and marketplaces. There are also several massive statues built of dragons throughout the city, some sponsored by temples, some by dynasties, and some by the government. Near the southern edge of the city is a massive pyramid with a large pyre at the top. On certain festivals, the pyre is lit and food, treasure, or even people are sacrificed atop it. Among the other wonders of the city is the Arraphan Temple of Null, the Arraphan Temple of Malaestor, and the Arraphan Temple of Icasar.
Guilds and Factions
There are three major dynasties that fight for control over Arrapha though many more are involved in the politics of the area. The main dynasties in Arrapha are the Albioris Dynasty, Athauglas Dynasty, and Balagos Dynasty . The other families that are involved in the politics of Arrapha are the Ishenalyr Dynasty, Eshaedra Dynasty, and Daurgog Dynasty.
The most powerful temple in the city is The Temple of Icasar followed by The Temple of .
History
Arrapha started out as a dwarven city, known as Kermazdun. The buildings of the city were built into the cliffs along the Tanin Nahr. After the dragons and humanoids came to a peace agreement, they turned on the dwarves. Kermazdun was one of the first cities to be under attack, yet they lasted longer than any other dwarven city. With easy access to fresh water and food, Kermazdun was able to withstand the siege for months. It was only until the dragons and their worshipers started to cause earthquakes that it fell. Now, the city is inhabited by the people who took it. Most of the dwarven parts of the city were destroyed in the earthquakes. The rest have become houses and shops for citizens.
Tourism
The most religious of Nahyz citizens consider a pilgrimage to Arrapha the adventure of a lifetime. To see the Minin where the dragons roost with their own eyes, and to have the chance of seeing a dragon is an incredible opportunity. The only other tourists that really come to Arrapha are those who wish to have something forged or to source some of the finest material in the world and make something themselves.
Architecture
Most of the buildings in Arrapha are built from the stone of the Minin mountains. Unlike the rest of Nahyz, it is rare for them to be made from mud bricks. There are usually no glass in the windows though, of course, the richer buildings do have some.
Geography
Nestled near the base of the Minin Mountains and along the banks of Lake Masdar, Arrapha is the highest grand city in Nahyz. It also has the most elevation change out of the grand cities. While it isn't anything major, the southern part of the city is higher up than the northern section. There are canals leading off the Tanin Nahr and Lake Masdar throughout the city, and most of the hills have government buildings or temples located on top of them or carved into the side.
Natural Resources
Stone, gems, and precious ore are all mined by the city of Arrapha. Additionally, fishing in Lake Masdar is a main source of food for the city.
Alternative Name(s)
Kanbur
Type
Large city
Population
80,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Arraphans
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Related Reports (Primary)
- Session 11: The End of the River Report
- Session 13: The Endless Preperation Continues Report
- Session 14: The Death of the Double-Scimitar Report
- Session 15: The Montage Report
- Session 16: The Heist for the Ages Report
- Session 17: The Water Unstopped Report
- Session 20: The Mayonnaise Fight Report
- Session 21: The First Shopping Spree Report
Notable Buildings:
- The Gutted Fish - located next to the lake, this is one of the cheapest taverns in the city. Most of the customers are tired and dirty fishermen. There is a lot of fights, a lot of beer, and not a lot of cleaning or repairs.
Comments
Author's Notes
Q&As for Worldbuilding: Where is this city in the world? Nestled along the shore of Lake Masdar and near the base of the Minins, the city is one of the great cities of Nahyz. Why is it there? The southernmost city of Nahyz can credit its existence to the dwarven city it was built atop along with the ores and gems carted from the nearby mountains and down the river. How many people live there? There are tens of thousands of slaves, nobles, artisans, priests, scribes, and workers who live in the city. What is the racial makeup? The city has a less diverse population than most of the other parts of the kingdom. There is a sizeable portion of dwarven slaves, and a few free ones. There are also kobold slaves, as with the rest of the kingdom. As for the free population, most of the people are dragonborn, half-dragons, or lizardfolk. Is the city walled? Or protected by any natural features? The city itself is a sprawling and growing metropolis. There are no strict boundaries or walls. The mountains to the south and cliffs which most of the city are built in is enough to protect most of the city. The dynasties, temples, and government buildings usually have their own sizeable walls to protect themselves. What is the government? The city is ruled by an emyr and his council. The heads of the various temples as well as some nobles make up the councillors. While the emyr is theoretically the final authority, the priests of the city have great power over the politics of Arrapha. What kind of legal system, if any, is there? Guards of the city and of dynasties can arrest any persons who cause trouble within the city. They will be held in a prison, belonging to the city or a dynasty, and will go under trial before a magistrate of the city. However, enemies of a dynasty can wait for years for their trial. Additionally, anyone with an influential enough friend will find themselves released before their trial even occurs. What are the main temples/shrines/cults/etc? As in every city, there is one temple to each of the six gods of Nahyz religion. The largest ones in Arrapha are the temples of Garyx and Icasar. What is the city's means of income? Do they produce raw, finished, or luxury goods? Or all three? The city is the source of most of the gems and ore throughout the country. Additionally, they produce some of the finest smelted goods in the country. How does the city get its food? The city is fed, like the rest of the country, from the food harvested along the Tanin Nahr. Miles and miles of the river's banks have food that is immediately transported to Arrapha to feed its thousands of inhabitants. Are there any guilds? There is a small Blacksmith's guild in the city, banded together to try and survive without the support of a dynasty patron.